Barrier filter high particulate entry design

Abstract

A fabric filter (barrier filter) with an inlet design for high particle load that allows for individual compartments in a row to be isolated by closure of a sloped inlet damper by which the sloped design allows particulate during damper closure to flow to the opposing compartment hopper preventing damper failure from the accumulated weight of the particulate load.

1 . A gas filtration plant for removing particulate material from a pressurized stream of dirty air comprising:
 a first filter assembly defining a first chamber having a first inlet, a first outlet and a first filter unit positioned in the chamber between the first inlet and the first outlet;   a second filter assembly defining a second chamber having a second inlet, a second outlet and a second filter unit positioned between the second inlet and the second outlet; and   an inlet manifold having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposed to the first sidewall and a segmented bottom wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the segmented bottom wall having a bottom-most first segment, a second segment connecting the first segment to the first sidewall, a third segment connecting the first segment to the second sidewall, the second segment forming a first acute angle with the first sidewall and the third segment forming a second acute angle with the second sidewall, the inlet manifold extending between the first filter assembly and the second filter assembly, the first filter assembly being positioned adjacent the first sidewall and the second filter assembly being positioned adjacent the second sidewall, the inlet manifold being capable of directing a pressurized particulate-containing gas flow defining a dirty gas flow to the first inlet and the second inlet.   
   
   
       2 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 1  further comprising a first member for closing the first inlet and a second member for closing the second inlet, the first member and the second member being moveable among four configurations, the first configuration having the first member in an open position and the second member in an open position, a second configuration having the first member in a closed position and the second member in an open position, a third configuration having the first member in an open position and the second member in a closed position, and a fourth configuration having the first member is a closed position and the second member in a closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 2  wherein the first member is positioned on the second segment. 
   
   
       4 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 3  wherein the second member is positioned on the third segment. 
   
   
       5 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 3  wherein when the first member and the second member are in the second configuration the first member is capable of directing cumulated particulate material into the second inlet. 
   
   
       6 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 2  wherein the first acute angle is from 15 degrees to 85 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 2  wherein the first acute angle is from 35 degrees to 65 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 6  wherein the second acute angle is from 15 degrees to 85 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 6  wherein the absolute value of second acute angle is equal to the first acute angle. 
   
   
       10 . The gas filtration plant of  claim 1  wherein the first filter unit comprises a first plurality of filters arranged in a first array having a first number of aligned rows of elongate filters and a second number of aligned columns of elongate filters. 
   
   
       11 . The gas filtration unit of  claim 10  further comprising a cleaning mechanism positioned within the first chamber for removing particulate material from the first plurality of filters. 
   
   
       12 . The gas filtration unit of  claim 10  wherein the first plurality of filters are fabric filters. 
   
   
       13 . A method for filtering particulate material from a pressurized stream of dirty air comprising:
 directing a stream of air under pressure through an inlet manifold, the air containing a first quantity of particulate material entrained therein to define a dirty gas flow, the inlet manifold having a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposed to the first sidewall and a segmented bottom wall, the segmented bottom wall having a bottom-most first segment, a second segment connecting the first segment to the first sidewall and forming a first acute angle with the first sidewall, and a third segment connecting the first segment with the second sidewall and forming a second acute angle with the second sidewall;   guiding a first portion of the dirty gas flow into a first filter assembly, the first filter assembly defining a chamber having a first inlet, a first outlet and a first filter unit in the first chamber and positioned between the first inlet and the first outlet;   guiding a second portion of the dirty gas flow into a second filter assembly spaced from the first filter assembly, the second filter assembly defining a second chamber having a second inlet, a second outlet and a second filter unit in the second chamber and positioned between the second inlet and the second outlet   controlling the flow of dirty air into the first filter assembly with a first damper moveable from a first position where dirty air can flow into the first inlet, to a second position where dirty air cannot flow into the first inlet, the first damper being positioned over an opening through the first segment;   controlling the flow of dirty air into the second filter assembly with a second damper moveable from a first position where dirty air can flow into the second inlet, to a second position where dirty air cannot flow into the second inlet, the second damper being positioned over an opening through the third segment; and   closing the first damper to block the flow of dirty air into the first inlet and to direct particulate material cumulated proximate the first damper into the second inlet.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first acute angle and the second acute angle are in the range of from 15 degrees to 85 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first filter unit comprises a first plurality of filters arranged in a first array having a first number of aligned rows of elongate filters and a second number of aligned columns of elongate filters. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising a cleaning mechanism positioned within the first chamber for removing particulate material from the first plurality of filters. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the first plurality of filters are fabric filters. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fabric is a woven material or a felted material. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the woven material is selected from the group consisting of a polyphenylene sulfide and fiberglass. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the felted material is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene felt, polyimide felt, polyester felt, and acrylic felt.